Face-tattooed man accused in storage-unit thefts

By AP

March 11, 2013

uncredited

Caption

This photo combo provided by the Madison County Sheriff's Office in Edwardsville, Ill., shows Adam Roberts. Roberts, 24, was charged Friday, March 8, 2013, with three felony burglary counts related to thefts discovered last month from as many as 28 storage units in his southwestern Illinois hometown of Godfrey. What makes Roberts distinctive is the skeleton-style tattoo over his face ó artwork that Madison County sheriff's Capt. Mike Dixon calls "just odd." (AP Photo/Madison County Sheriff's Office)

GODFREY – Authorities in Madison County are searching out anyone who may have bought things from an alleged burglar of storage units, and they're confident the purchasers will remember the seller.

Adam Roberts, 24, was charged Friday with three felony burglary counts related to thefts discovered last month from as many as 28 storage units in his southwestern Illinois hometown of Godfrey.

What makes Roberts distinctive is the skeleton-style tattoo over his face — artwork that Madison County sheriff's Capt. Mike Dixon calls "just odd."

"It's the oddest thing I've ever seen in 20-plus years of law enforcement," Dixon told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I've seen horns on foreheads and stars on necks, but I've never seen a skull on a face.

"I can't explain it."

Authorities say they've recovered $1,000 worth of stolen property taken in the break-ins. But they suspect Roberts or an accomplice may have sold still-missing items including a black compact refrigerator, televisions, fishing equipment, professional wrestling DVDs, paintings, an antique chest of drawers, an oval mirror and a sewing machine.

"There probably isn't another guy out there with that tattoo, so if they bought something from someone with a skull tattoo in the St. Louis area, it's probably this guy," Dixon said.

Roberts is jailed on $60,000 bond. Online court records don't show whether he has an attorney.

Deputies ask anyone with information about the thefts or missing items to call the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

sizzling summer special

Subscribe now to get full, unlimited access to NWHerald.com for just $7.99 per month. Save 38%!